Interior Architecture

Interior Design students and a faculty member discuss ideas

In response to professional industry trends, the West Virginia University Interior Design program has expanded its curriculum to include building and construction systems and is changing its major name to Interior Architecture beginning with Fall 2021. Graduates will still practice interior design and can be certified by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam, but they will have a wider range of skills and area of practice.

Interior architects create architectural interiors that improve inhabitants' quality of life and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. The interior architecture program at WVU prepares students for entry-level interior design practice and meets the education requirement for National Council for Interior Design Qualifications (NCIDQ) certification.

NCIDQ certification is the basic credential required by most states that license interior design/interior architecture professionals. In addition to an educational requirement, NCIDQ certification requires the completion of two years in a professional internship as an interior designer and passing the NCIDQ examination.

The interior architecture program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Fast Facts

A growing field

The demand for interior designers is expected to grow over the next 10 years.

NATIONALLY
Accredited

The program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

Valuable degrees

The program meets requirements of the National Council for Interior Design Qualifications.

Careers

Residential interior design
Commercial interior design
Architectural design
Architectural 3D visualization
Historic preservation
Sustainable design consulting
Sales and marketing of interior design products

Course Schedule

Freshman Year

Suggested Plan of Study
Fall	Spring
ANRD 191 – First Year Seminar	ENGL 101 – Intro to Composition and Rhetoric
IA 105 – Intro to Interior Architecture	IA 165 – Architecture and Design Foundations
IA 115 – Intro to Arch. Design and Graphics	ARHS 160 - Landmarks of World Art
ARHS 120 – Survey of Art History	GEF/Program Requirements (6 hours)
GEF 2--Lecture or Lecture and Co-Req Lab

For full suggested course schedule, class descriptions and more information on General Education Foundations (GEF) see course catalog.